MONT BELVIEU - Maddie Luitwieler of Cinco Ranch and Kari Bush of Clear Lake seemed to be handling the competition and the course at Eagle Pointe Golf Club on Monday. What they couldn't overcome was the adverse weather.

Following more than a two-hour delay, play in the Class 5A Region III girls tournament was suspended with the leaders through nine holes.

Luitwieler and Bush share the lead after making the turn at 2-under 34.

At 145, Cinco Ranch leads by eight shots over second-place Clear Lake and Clements, which was paced by Amber Wang's nine-hole total of 36. Play resumes at 9 a.m. Tuesday, with the plan being to complete the 36-hole tournament.

"A lot of our girls are playing well," said Luitwieler. "For these conditions, we're proud of our scores. Even though we're up, we're not going to underestimate the competition.

"I knew we would probably have rain and it was going to be windy, so I just said trust your swing, and I knew I was swinging well. And I tried to be to be confident in my putts and hits."

Katy Rutherford added a 36 and Kennedy Ishee a 37 for Cinco Ranch, which is 1 over par and trying to qualify for the state tournament a fourth straight year.

"It's a good start, but it's going to be tough out there," Cinco Ranch coach Rick Nordstrom said. "It's going to be cold and windy on (Tuesday), so anything can happen."

REGION II-5A GIRLS

Led by Brooke McDonald's 6-over 78, The Woodlands is in second place after the opening round of the Class 5A Region II girls tournament at Cottonwood Creek Golf Course in Waco.

The Highlanders enter the final round at 322, trailing only Allen's 320 in pursuit of a state berth.